Learning to reverse roles

By
MARK ACHESON

June 6, 2014, midnight

Students, principal to swap reponsibilities

ULVERSTONE High principal Glen Lutwyche says he's forgotten what it's like to learn.

WORK INSPECTION: Ulverstone High School student representative council co-presidents Amber Spinks and Patrick
Murphy check on the work of school principal Glen Lutwyche before taking part in the Principal for a Day program.
Picture: Meg Windram.

He'll wonder no more, with the school taking part in "Student principal for a day."

Traditionally students act as principal for a day, but Mr Lutwyche wants to make the swap fair.

Student's Amber Spinks and Patrick Murphy will act as principals, while Mr Lutwyche will carry his school books one last time.

"`From my perspective, to sit in class for the day, be on time, carry the books, it will be interesting to see if my learning style has changed from when I was a kid," Mr Lutwyche said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the actual work load is like for kids."

He gave a scenario the two students may face when they take on the role next week.

Year 10 students can wear a "leavers t-shirt" in the last week of school, which has recently been changed to a hoodie.

Mr Lutwyche said several students approached him and asked if the hoodie could be worn for a extended period, including the winter.

"We would try to look at it from the students' point of view and the principal's point of view," Amber said.

"What would be the point of this if we didn't take the students' point of view to the principal," Patrick said.

Both students said they would take a lot out from a day as principal.

"We will be able to see what Mr Lutwyche does in his everyday principal life," Amber said.